Electric heating unit and method of forming and assembling same



Oct. 9, 1928. 1,686,795 E. R. CASE ELECTRIC HEATING UNIT AND METHOD OF FORMING AND ASSEMBLING SAME Filed D00. 12, 1924 s Sheets-Shut 1 Oct. 9, 1928.

E. R. CASE ELECTRIC HEATING UNIT AND METHOD OF FORMING AND ASSEHBLING SAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 12, 1924 Fgd.

Oct. 9, 1928.

' 1,686,795 E. R. CASE ELECTRIC HEATING UNIT AND METHOD OF FORMING AND ASSEMBLING SAME Filed Dec. 12, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I EGERTON'RYEBSON CASE, OI TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

ELECTRIC" HEATING 'UNIT AND METHOD OF FORMING AND ASSEMBLING SAME.

f Ap'p1ication filedtDeoember l2, 1924. Serial No. 755,489.

My invention relates to improvements in electric-heatin r units, and method of tormlng and assembling same, and while the held for my heating-unit in useis practically un limited, I have particularly designed it for use in connection with devices used in medicating air for the treatment of diseases or affect one of the respiratory. organs, suchas that disclosed-in myapplication, Serial No. 755,490,.filed December 12th, 1924 for i provementjs in devices for treating air, and the principal object of my invention is to provide a fixed typeof support adapted in a particular manner to; receive or support different windingsor lengths of a single resistance-element in order to produce heatingnnits of different heating-capacities. Another object ofmy invention, in its preferred form, is to removably associate the heating-unitwith a support therefor, and in the fol-lowing specification I shall illustrate and describe three disclosures within my invention, and what I claim as new will be set forth in the claims forming part of this specification.

1 is a plan view of my preferred form of resistanceelementsupporti showing it rem. rably associated with a suitable support. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of said resistanceelementsupport associated with its support which also shown in front elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1, shov ing a resistance-elementin place. Fig. 4c is a plan view of an alternative form of resistance-element support. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section on the line 55, Fig. l, without the resistance-element. Figs. 6 and T are respectively front and side elevations of a still further form of resistance-element support, Fig. 7 being broken away in part to show the holder for the treating-agent.

In the drawings, like characters of reference refer to the same parts.

in the embodiments of the idea disclosed in this application, only two terminal places or openings are required for the resistanceelemcnt. whether itoccupy all, or only a portion of, the open floored grooves, channels, or passages, separating certain parts of my resistance-element support, and hereinafter referrrd to, for the sake of brevity, as paseases.

It is well-known that various treating- :nts reonire different temperatures to change their state, and in some cases it is most important that the temperature to which a treating-agent be subjected shall not go above a certain degree, as otherwise an undesirable chemical change would be effected therein. For example, a well-known treating-agent in liquid form, cresolene, must be vaporized at relatively quite a low tem-: perature so as not to impair its efficacy. On the other hand, sulphur, in powder-or cake form, requires relatively a much .higher temperature to transform it for fumigating purposes. I

lVith reasonable care in the use of this device, no mistake n i be made in the degree of heat to which a treatingor fumigating agent shouldbe subjected.

In the form of this invention Where the unit may be disassociated from its support, it will be readily understood that in case of replacement being necessary, considerable savingin upkeep will be effected where only either of said elements mustbe replaced.

By providing a fixed type of resistanceelemcnt support with two terminal openings or places only, and having intercommunicating major and minor passages between spaced portions thereof from which may be arb'trarily selected. passages to form a continuous path which will essentially intersect other possible wiring paths in said support, and in which it is desired to place a resistance-element and the ends of which path terminate at said term'nal places or openings, I save the cost of a multiplicity of dies or moulds to produce electric-heating units of diflerent heating-capacities, or temperature ratings, and produce what I term a universal resistance-element support.

It is proposed-to market the device herein referred to in its preferred form, with a set of heating-units, each unithaving a given heating-capacity, so that according to the character of the treating-agent to be transformed the heating-unit required may be associated with its support, and this with no more trouble than is involved in screwing an electric light bulb or lamp into its socket.

It is self-evident that the embodiment of the idea under disclosure, in its preferred form, possesses commercial advantages of a high character, and enables a nut-replacement system assuring substantially positive temperattire-control to be carried out in re spect of electric-heating units or hot plates apparently not heretofore attained.

1 or bleaching.

element adapted to generate heat in associa tion with an electric current. i While the drawings show the various embodiments of the resistance-element support as made of a block of refractory material, such as porcelain, the same may be made of inetal or any other suitable material.

While the invention in question has been particularlydeveloped for the purpose of medicating air, .for 1 the treatment of diseasedrespiratory organs, it may be used for various other purposes, such as fumigating -In my preferred form of invention, the electric-heating unit embraces a support 2 provided with spaced portions in the form of segmental ribs or bars 3, which are preferabl'ylocated below the top of said support. Certain of said bars are separated from the inner wall 4 of'said support each by an open floored passage-'5, and it is clearly shown in Fig. 1'that the various passages inter-communicate. Located centrally of said support is a post 6, and positioned substantially at an angle of 180 apart and to extend between the ends -7 of certain of the'ribs 3, and spaced apart therefrom, are ribs8.

The arrows with crossed tails are intended to show the location of a resistance-element when'the support 2 is fully wired, and the arrows without crossed tails show the position of the resistance-element when the said support is only partly wired.

Inter-communicating with the open passages 5 and the other open floored passages between the ribs or bars 3 and 8 and post 6 are passages 9 which communicate with openings or holes 10 formed in the lateral extension 11 of said support. 12 represents in dotted form, terminal posts, which posts project through holes 13 formed in the vertical end of the extension 11. The inner ends of the said terminal posts are located in the holes 10, and are represented as having been smashed or flattened in order that the ends of the resistance-element associated with the support 2 may be attached thereto in any way well-known in the art.

Locating the ribs or bars 3 and 8 and post 6' preferably below the upper surface of the support 2 forms a chamber 14 which. will receive the bottom part of a holder 15, which may be in the form of a small pan. Thisholder is adapted to contain the treat ing-agent to be transformed.

If desired, the'support 2 may be provided with a circular groove or channel 16 of suit able size and adapted to be located under the rim17 of said holderlfito receive any part of a liquid treating-agent that may overflow from the said holder. However,

this groove or channel 16 is not essential and may be omitted.

. Obviously :when the resistance-element is placed in position, if it be in the form of a wire, 'it will be covered over by any suittwo ways in which a resistance-element may be associated with the support2, and it will be obvious that in all cases the ends of the resistance-element will occupy the passages awe their equivalent.

19 is a support with which the electricheatiiig unit already described is associated, and in order to provide for compactness, this support is provided with a chamber 20 conforming to the shape of the sides and bot-V tomrof the support- 2, and extension 11, and in which chamber said support 2 and its extension are placed. Obviously by grasping the terminal posts 12, the electric-heating unit may be removed-and replaced by another one for any desired purpose.

21 is a chamber carried by the support 19, and housing the holder'15. hen the treating-agent within said holder is transformed by heat into a vapor or smoke, the same will collect within the chamber 21 and escape therefrom through the outlet 22.

In case the transformed treating-agent passingthrough the outlet 22 be intended to be inhaled, air ports 23 are formed in the support- 19 to permit air to pass into the chamber 21 to be mixed with the trans formed treating-agent.

In order to prevent lateral displacement of the chamber 21 in respect of the support 19, I form in said support a circular groove or channel 2 1 which receives the lower edge of the chamber 21. The chamber 21 may be omitted when it is desired to use the device for fumigation purposes.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the support 25 is shown as provided with portions in the form of ribs or bars 26 spaced apart and from bars 2? which surround the said support. 28 are the passages between the ribs or bars 26 and the bars 27, and these passages intercommunicate with passages29 formed in the neck 30 of said support. Spaced apart from the ribs or bars 26 by the passages 31 are ribs 32 forming an enclosure in which is located a plurality of ribs or bars 33, which latter bars or ribs are spaced apartand from the ribs 32 by the passages 34.

35 are holes formed in the support 25, and these are used to pass the resistanceelement therethrough according to the pas- Inn lll

agent to said holder is sages between the various ribs or bars referred to it is desired to place a resistanceclement in.

The arrows without crossed tails represent the manner in which this form of support is fully wired, and the arrows with crossed tails represent a manner in which only portion of'the said support may be wired. In the latter case, use is made of passages 36 formed in one of the ribs32.

lVhen the holes 35 are'used, the underside of the 'support 25-may be provided with channels 37 in which to house the resistanceelement.

' In the alternative form just described it is shown that no matter what length the resistance-element may be associated with the support 25, only two terminal posts will be necessary.-

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the support 38 is tubular in form, and mounted within the same is a holder 39 'for the treating-agent. This holder must be any suitable incombustible material, such as asbestos, and of course the transformed treating-agent will pass out of the end 40 of said support.

-41 is a flange associated with the inner end of the support 38, and the opening or passage-way in said support preferably passes through said flange, and it is through the passage-way in said flange that a supply of liquid treating-agent is fed to the holder 39. But as the means'for supplying the treatingnot germane to the present disclosures, same is not illustrated.

Integrally formed with the support 38 are a plurality of spaced ribs or bars 42 which radiate therefrom, and by following the arrows it will be readily understood how this form of support may be wired.

Formed in the flange 41 are holes 43 adapted to support suitable terminal posts (not shown) to which the ends of the resistanceelement will be secured.

The ribs or bars 42 may be made in sections as shown at. 44 spaced apart longitudinally as shown at 45 to form passages, and without further elaboration it will be clearly understood that the desired length of resistance-element may also be associated with the support 38 in order to secure the desired temperature. It is pointed out that also in this present disclosure. under consideration only two binding posts or terminals under all conceivable manners of wiring the support, are necessary.

A fixed type of a resistance-element support of the character herein disclosed is universally used in a given field, for wiring purposes; that is, the support is common to all units of different wirings, and is the fixed elementin the production of said unit.

While I have described what I consider to be the best embodiments within my invention, it must'be understood that the principle thereof may be embodied in many other forms without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Obviously, in the broad combination of the removable resistance-element support, such as 2, having a lateral extension adapted to support terminal posts or their equivalents, with a support or carrying member, such as 19, chambered to receive the firstmcntioned support, the first-mentioned support may be formed inany desired manner to hold a resistance-element, consequently it must be clearly understood I am not limited to any particular construction of said firstmentioned support for this purpose.

The holder 15 may be omitted, and the treating-agent placed directly in the chamber 14 which may be suitably finished for this purpose.

The intercommunicating passages are necessarily formed of major passages, such as 5 and 9 in Fig. 1, and minor passages, such as those between the ends of the ribs 3 and the ribs 8, which latter connect the major passages.

As far as I am aware the prior art does not disclose any heating unit, embodying the principle of my invention, provided with two adjacent apertures onl through which electrical connections must e madewith the ends of the resistance-element. These apertures should be located adjacent each other so that the terminal posts held therein will be spaced the right distance apart to permit the ordinary push plug to be co-operatively associated therewith.

The surface of the various disclosures herein which form the bottoms of the passages between the said spaced portion's, form floors; and these floors may be imperforate, or perforated in part as disclosed in Fig. l.

lVhile I prefer to use the outlets or openings, such as 10,29 and 43, in the disclosed embodiments of my invention, in the broadest conception of the idea herein disclosed, I do not confine myself to always using such.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A support for the resistance-element of an electric heater or similar device consisting of a block of suitable material having a plurality ofmajor passages homologously disposed therethrough, and a plurality of minor passages connecting said major passages, whereby resistance-elements of varying lengths may be interchangeably introduced into the block using simultaneously any number of said major and minor passages, and whereby the resistance-element may be placed throughout the block and/or in any given part thereof.

2. A support for the resistance-element of an electric heater or similar device consisting of a block of suitable material having plurality of major passages homologously dis- Ill] posed therethrough; a plurality of minor pas sages connecting said major passages, and a paircf; openings fromthe exterior of said block, each opening communicating with one of said majorpassages, whereby resistanceelements ofvarying lengths may be inter?- changeablyI introduced into the block using simultaneously any number of'saidmajor and minor passages and whereby the resist-- ance-element may be placed throughout the blockiand/or in any given part thereof.

3. :A support for the resistance element of an electric heater orsimilar device consisting of a block of suitable material having a plurality of major passagesihomologously disposed .therethrou'gh; 'a plurality of minor passages connecting pairs of said major'passages and a pairyof- -openings from the exterior-of said block, each opening communicating with one of said majori-passages, whereby resistance elements of :varying lengths may be interchangeably introduced into the block using: simultaneously any number of said major ,and minor passages and whereby-the resistance-element may be placed throughout the block and/or inany givenrpart thereof. 7 v c 4. As a new article of manufacture, 'a universal resistancerelement support, made of any, suitable material, provided with a plurality of spacedsegmental ribs, located substantially concentrically; a post located centrally of said support and spaced apart on all sides from the innermost ribs; ribs located substantially at an angle of 180 apart and spaced apart from said other ribs and posts, the spaces between said ribs and posts forming .intercommunicating passages, adapted to be selected to form Wiring passages.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a universal resistance-element support, made of any suitable material, provided with a pluralityof spaced segmental ribs, located substantially concentrically; a post located centrally of said support and spaced apart on all sides from the innermost ribs; ribs locatedsubstantially at an angle of'180 apart and spaced apart from said other ribs and post, the spaces between said ribs and posts forming intercommunicat-ing passages, adapted to be selected to form wiring passages,.anda lateral extension carried by said support and provided with passages communicating with the spaces between said ribs, the said passages opening into adjacent holes formed in said extension and adapted to receive binding posts.

-6. As a new article of manufacture, a universal resistance-element support, made of any suitable material, and formed with a chamber, a plurality of segmental ribs located substantially concentrically, and in said chamber, said ribs being spaced apart and from the walls of said chamber; a post located centrally of said chamber and spaced apart on all sides from. the innermost segmental ribs, and ribs located in said chamber substantially at. an angle of 180 apart, and spaced apart from; said other ribs and post, fthe spaces. between said ribs and post forming; intercomrnunicating passages adapt-,

ed tobe selected tofornrindividual i i passages.

'7. The combination 10f anintegrally -f8.' The p combination -.of an H integrally formed support adapted to receive-a resistsince-element; 'andhav-ing a lateral extension adapted for making-adjacent electrical con-' nest-ions, and another integrally formed sup-, port having -a,1.:c'hamber,shaped to receive sai'dfirst-mentioned support and its exten sioxnand. further provided with air ports located-outside. of said first-mentioned support. g

L 79-111 an electric heating device, the combination-of a unitary resistance element; a support therefor comprising a block of suitablematerial having a plurality of major passages: disposed therethrough; a multiplicity of, minor passages therebetween, and cutlets-:and terminals mounted on said block in said outlets; whereby a resistance element of-predetermined capacity may be in troduced into a major passage and extended therefrom through and along as many and such major and minor passages as may be adapted to distribute and/or localize the resistance element in any desired area of the device; and adapted to. supply thereto that length; of-resistance element calculated to afford the temperature desired; the said element being connected at its ends to said terminals and constituting a metallic circuit therebetween. t

. 10. In an electric heating device, the combination of a unitary resistance element; a support therefor comprising a block of suitable'material having a multiplicity of passages formed therein and intersecting each other at a series of points to provide a mulplicitv cf selectable paths, and further provided with two outlets; and a terminal mounted in each of said outlets, whereby a resistance element of predetermined capacity may be introduced into said support through and along as many of said passages as may be adapted to distribute and/or localize the resistance element in any desired area of the device, and adapted to supply thereto that length of resistance element calculated to afl'ord the temperature desired; the said element being connected at its ends to said terminals and constituting a circuit therebetween.

11. A support for the resistance element of an electric heater or similar device consisting of a block of suitable material having a plurality of distributed intercommunicating primary and secondary passages whereby a series of selectively combinable passages adapted to afford a range of continuous passages of varying length distributed throughout the block, is provided, whereby a resistance element of given length may be introduced into that selected compounded passage of corresponding length traversing any and/or all sections of the block Where heat is to be supplied.

12. The method of forming and assembling heating units having a variable range as to distribution and degree of heat, which consists in forming in a block of suitable material a plurality of distributed intercommunicating primary and secondary passages whereby a series of selectively combinable passages adapted to afford a range of continuous passages of varying lengths distributed throughout the block, is provided; placing a resistance element of given length in that compounded passage of corresponding length traversing the whole of the block or any desired section thereof where heat is to be supplied, and leading out the ends of said element for connection to suitable terminals.

EGERTON RYERSON CASE. 

